Timeline: 40 years of the Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Opera House - a masterpiece of modern architecture and an icon of Australia - is celebrating its 40th birthday.

Take a look at the controversy and celebrations that have made the building part of the nation's psyche:

1954

'We need an opera house'

Eugene Goossens, conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the director of the NSW Conservatorium for Music, is introduced to then NSW premier Joseph Cahill and the two men agree that Australia needs an opera house.

In December 1955, Mr Cahill announces an international design competition for an opera house, with Sydney's Bennelong Point approved as the site for the project.

The main requirement of the competition is a design for two performance halls - one for opera and the other for symphony concerts. The guidelines also request a restaurant and two public meeting rooms.

The competition closes in December 1956 after 233 entries have been submitted from 28 countries.

The drawings submitted for this scheme are simple to the point of being diagrammatic. Nevertheless, as we have returned again and again to the study of these drawings, we are convinced that they present a concept of an Opera House which is capable of becoming one of the great buildings of the world.

1999

Utzon re-engaged by Opera House

After a series of conversations and meetings with the Opera House Trust and the New South Wales government, Jorn Utzon agrees to be re-engaged as a design consultant for future work on his masterpiece.

Over the next few years, he develops a set of design principles as a basis for all future changes to the building.

Mr Utzon said his renewed contact with Sydney felt like a "wonderful welcome back to Australia, a hand extended in the spirit of reconciliation, a hand I shake with warmth and gratitude."

I like to think the Sydney Opera House is like a musical instrument, and like any fine instrument, it needs a little maintenance and fine tuning from time to time if it is to keep on performing at the highest level

Jorn Utzon

2000

Olympic centrepiece

The Olympics opening ceremony focuses on the Opera House, with swimmer Samantha Riley standing on top of one of the Concert Hall's shells with the Olympic Torch to send the flame on its final journey to light the cauldron at Stadium Australia.

The Opera House is also a focal point for triathlon events during the Games, with the circuit taking in the Opera House grounds and Botanic Gardens.

2003

Pritzker Prize for Utzon

Jørn Utzon is awarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the most prestigious architectural award in the world.

The judges recognise Sydney Opera House as a masterpiece of the 20th Century.

2007

World Heritage site

The United Nations adds the Sydney Opera House to the World Heritage list of culturally significant sites.

The harbour-side landmark wins the approval of around 800 delegates at a World Heritage committee meeting in Christchurch, New Zealand.

It takes its place on the register among more than 800 sites of outstanding cultural and natural significance, including China's Great Wall and India's Taj Mahal.

The Opera House, and its setting at Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour, is an iconic and treasured place, not just for Australians but also internationally.The Sydney Opera House, as an outstanding example of 20th century architecture, is a testament to the daring of architect Jorn Utzon, and to those who brought about his vision.It is also, of course, testament to the openness of the people of Sydney and Australia, and an enduring legacy for our place in the world.

Then prime minister John Howard

In 2005 the Opera House was added to the National Heritage List.

November 29, 2008

Jørn Utzon dies aged 90

Mr Utzon dies peacefully in his sleep in his hometown of Copenhagen on November 29, 2008.

His legacy lives on in a number of architectural projects in various countries but his masterpiece remains the Sydney Opera House, though he never got to see the completed work in person.